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Ethanol issues

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grant.corriveau(at)TELUS.
Guest

Posted: Thu Sep 04, 2008 9:21 am Post subject: Ethanol issues

I've noticed that over the past couple of years I have not found even  

a drop of water in my fuel tanks.  This makes me suspicious that my  

MOGAS contains alcohol, so from now on I intend to be more scrupulous  

about 'bottle testing' my fuel sources.



The other issue with MOGAS relates to winter inactivity.  Car gas  

should not be stored for more than three months.  In the past the  

aviation practice for fuel tanks was to leave them full to prevent/ 

reduce condensation inside the tanks.  But now I'm wondering if that  

works with MOGAS over the quiet winter months.



Does the stabilizer sold in auto stores do the job adequately?  Or  

should I keep the fuel tanks mainly empty over the winter, just  

adding enough fuel each time I go flying?



What are the active pilots on the list, who use MOGAS, doing with all  

this?



Thanks

Grant

C-GHTF

601HDS/CAM100

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daveaustin2(at)primus.ca
Guest

Posted: Thu Sep 04, 2008 11:13 am Post subject: Ethanol issues

Grant,

My experience with the Zodiac is that in December I fill the tank with Shell 

super and put in 1 1/2 times the recommended gas treatment and then run the 

engine (912) for five minutes to get the treatment to the carbs.  Then shut 

down and rest easy like a bear until late March.  (Oddysey battery).

Then hit the starter.  Never had any problem at all.

Dave Austin  601HDS - 912

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larry(at)macsmachine.com
Guest

Posted: Thu Sep 04, 2008 12:52 pm Post subject: Ethanol issues

Hi Grant,



I keep four 5-gallon gas cans in the hangar on a wood-strip rack and two 

are full all the time. I only keep 3 to 5 gallons in each wing tank and 

4 to 5 gallons in the header. I don’t refuel until just before the next 

flight. When a can of fuel has set for more than a couple of months, I 

pour it into the car and refill the can with new 87-octane. This seems 

to keep the fuel fresh and gas handling safe. I do use a 16-gage wire 

with gator clips each end to minimize static build-up between tank and 

can at filling. I also place a small edge-bound rubber-backed rug with a 

centered 2-1/2-inch hole over the filler hole to avoid drips and 

splatter on the paint. I sometimes forget to pre-release pressure on the 

spring-cap just before filling. This seems to take care of the long 

inactive periods in winter. I don’t use stabilizers, but prefer the 

addition of fresh fuel just before flight, easiest done if left in the 

can until you need it.



On a side note, our airport managers recently got fussy about our having 

fuel cans in the hangars and it was successfully argued that several 

tanks to the volume of the aircraft were necessary to drain and check 

fuel tank strainers and provide safe fuel containment in the event of a 

leak. Just be sure you use OSHA approved containers that are stable for 

transport. Steel 5-gallon drum types are ideal and 50 gallons is the max 

allowable for each of our hangars.



Now that Homeland Security has decided to search our cars for explosives 

before we drive thru the coded gate, never mind the gasoline, 

apparently, you do have to have the right container to get it there.



I periodically check my VDO float gasket and fittings for ethanol damage 

and do replace the short hose and paper-type plastic filter annually.



That’s the best of it so far, so do fly safe guys,



Larry McFarland 601HDS at www.macsmachine.com



Grant Corriveau wrote:

 	  Quote: 	
		   

 <grant.corriveau(at)telus.net>



 I've noticed that over the past couple of years I have not found even 

 a drop of water in my fuel tanks. This makes me suspicious that my 

 MOGAS contains alcohol, so from now on I intend to be more scrupulous 

 about 'bottle testing' my fuel sources.



 The other issue with MOGAS relates to winter inactivity. Car gas 

 should not be stored for more than three months. In the past the 

 aviation practice for fuel tanks was to leave them full to 

 prevent/reduce condensation inside the tanks. But now I'm wondering if 

 that works with MOGAS over the quiet winter months.



 Does the stabilizer sold in auto stores do the job adequately? Or 

 should I keep the fuel tanks mainly empty over the winter, just adding 

 enough fuel each time I go flying?



 What are the active pilots on the list, who use MOGAS, doing with all 

 this?



 Thanks

 Grant

 C-GHTF

 601HDS/CAM100

- The Matronics Zenith-List Email Forum -

Use the List Feature Navigator to browse the many List utilities available such as the Email Subscriptions page, Archive Search & Download, 7-Day Browse, Chat, FAQ, Photoshare, and much more:

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